(Revised Effective Fall 2025)
Every student enrolled in an eligible program and receiving financial aid is expected to make satisfactory academic progress toward completing the program's requirements. At the end of each semester, the student's cumulative grade point average (GPA) is calculated. This measure of progress toward graduation is noted on the student's semester grade report and is reviewed by the College.
To maintain satisfactory academic standing, a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. The GPA is calculated based on all attempted courses at Johnston Community College, except developmental or remedial courses (grades R or P), as well as grades WD, W, I, NA, CR, CL, AU, and any repeated coursework that received a lower grade.
**Courses graded with COVID-19 WE/IE are also excluded from the GPA calculation.
** While developmental or remedial courses do not count toward attempted credit hours, students who have only completed these types of courses must still achieve a 2.0 GPA to satisfy the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirement for financial aid. A grade of P (Pass) in developmental courses is equivalent to a 4.0 grade point, while a grade of R (Re-enroll) is equivalent to a 0.0 grade point.
In addition, to maintaining the required GPA, students must pass at least 67 percent
of the credit hours they attempt each semester to remain in satisfactory academic
standing. At the end of each semester, the student's cumulative completion rate is
calculated. This rate includes all attempted courses, except for developmental or
remedial courses (grades R or P), audits (AU), courses marked as never attended (NA),
and those with COVID-19 WE/IE grades.
Grades of A, B, C, D, F, I, WF, WD, W, CR, CL repeated coursework, High School courses
that earn college credit, and transfer credits are factored into completion rate.
Grades of F, I (Incomplete), W, WF, WD, are considered as attempts and not passed
Financial aid will be terminated for students who have been on academic warning for one semester and are not making satisfactory academic progress by the end of that semester.
The time frame for a student to complete their program of study cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program. According to federal law, a student becomes ineligible when it becomes mathematically impossible for the student to complete their program of study within 150% of the program's duration.
This 150% limit will be measured by all attempted credit hours. Transfer Credits are included in the 150% calculation; however, up to 30 hours of developmental or remedial coursework and courses with COVID-19 WE/IE grades are excluded. There is no academic warning period for the 150% rule.
EXAMPLE: If a program has 60 credit hours, the student may only attempt 90 credit hours before becoming ineligible to receive Title IV funds. The 150% remaining hours in your program of study must be equal to or more than the remaining hours needed to graduate in your program of study.
If a student completely withdraws from all classes prior to the 60% point of the semester,
he or she is required by federal regulations to repay the funds for the time he or
she has not attended class. This overpayment may be a combination of tuition, fees
or books charged to his or her account, and/or direct payment made to the student.
Failure to make payment will result in the student being reported to the Department
of Education and/or a collection agency. This action will also interrupt future financial
aid awards.
The student will not be able to register for classes, receive transcripts, or grade
reports.
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) along with College Foundation Incorporated (CFI) has established a return policy for state-funded grants. State grants at Johnston Community College include the NC Scholarship, NC Longleaf Commitment Grant, NC Transition Scholarship, and the North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program.
State grant recipients who withdraw from class, stop attending, drop out, or are dismissed/suspended from class prior to or at the 35 percent point of the semester will owe a repayment. State grant return calculations are based on the student's last date of recorded attendance and/or class participation.
If it is determined that a portion of the financial aid received by the student is unearned, the College is required to return the unearned funds back to the State within 45 days. Notification will be sent to the student by mail. The amount of the return (repayment) will be due by the student in full when notification is received. In addition, no student shall be permitted to graduate, receive transcripts, or register for a new term until the debt has been repaid in full.
The College verifies all applicants selected by the Department of Education. Verification is completed by the Financial Aid Office at the time the student's award is made. Financial aid awards are not disbursed until verification is complete.
A student who has become ineligible for financial aid may appeal the termination of
their financial aid.
Appeals generally given consideration involve students who have experienced:
(a) extended illness or hospitalization of the student,
(b) an accident which incapacitates the student for an extended period of time, and
(c) death or extended illness of an immediate family member which results in greater
family responsibilities for the student.
(d) a change in programs, and as a result, causes them to exceed the maximum time
frame.
The appeal must address why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress and what has changed in the student's situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress in the future. Appeals must be in writing and submitted on the JCC Appeal Form along with proper documentation to the Financial Aid Office.
For a JCC Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form.
You may access information about your outstanding requirements by following the steps below.
If all of your documents show "Received" or "Waived" for this school year, your file is complete and our staff is working on awarding you financial aid, if eligible. You can check on Self Service to see, if you have been awarded aid by accessing your “Award Letter” and/or “My Awards” from the Financial Aid Counseling dropdown menu.
Financial Aid Appeal Forms
2024 - 2025 - Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form
2024 - 2025 - JCC Unusual Enrollment History Appeal Form
2024 - 2025 - Special and Unusual Financial Circumstances
New regulations from the Department of Education require institutions to check unusual enrollment history in an effort to prevent fraud and abuse in the Federal Pell Grant Program.
Federal regulations allow the Financial Aid Office to determine whether a student should continue receiving Title IV aid that has failed to earn credit at previously attended institutions, if they can document that there were mitigating circumstances beyond their control. Documentation must support the reasons given by the student for the student's failure to earn academic credit and that the student did not enroll only to receive credit balance funds.
If the JCC Financial Aid Office decides that you are ineligible for federal financial aid on the basis of insufficient documentation, you may appeal the decision by completing the Unusual Enrollment History Appeal Form.
Students can access their financial aid offer or view any outstanding requirements
by logging in to Self-Service through the Jaguar Portal.
Students who do not have a Financial Aid offer posted to their account must either
pay their charges in full or they may set up a Payment Plan through Nelnet.
*Remember for Financial Aid and/or VA enrollment status
Any courses that do not apply to a student’s current program of study will not be
considered when determining enrollment status for Financial Aid and/or VA benefits,
unless they are qualifying remedial courses.
2nd 8-week session courses must be added to your schedule by the 10% point of the semester (August 26th - FA Census Date) to be included in enrollment hours for financial aid purposes, unless the student
first enrolls after the 10% point of the term.
We will begin processing Book Emergency Loans beginning on August 5th. To be considered for a Book Emergency Loan, students must have applied for Financial Aid and be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (minimum 2.0 GPA and have passed 67% of classes taken).
Students must be registered and have submitted all required documents before requesting a Book Emergency Loan. The Colleague system will not allow us to process an emergency loan until the student has registered and their tuition payment has been covered.
Students who receive Book Emergency Loans may begin charging books on the same dates as all other students receiving Financial Aid. (See Below)
All Financial Aid or sponsored students may charge books against their aid at the Bookstore on the following dates:
August 5th – August 26th: During normal bookstore hours
August 26th is the last day to charge books against Financial Aid, including 2nd 8-week session courses.
To use the bookstore, students must provide their student ID and a copy of their class schedule. **Class schedules can be printed from the Student Planning section in Self-Service.
Important: Books that are out-of-stock must be pre-charged to your Financial Aid on the last two days for charging, August 25th and August 26th. A charge slip must be completed. There will be NO book charges after August 26th. (no exceptions)
Fall 2025 Financial Aid payments will be based on your enrollment status at the 10% point of the semester, which is August 26, 2025. Please note that financial aid payments for courses that start later in the semester (e.g., 2nd 8-week session) will not be processed until those courses have started and attendance has been verified. Refunds will be available beginning on September 25, 2025. Refunds will be sent by mail or through direct deposit only; there will be no option for in-person pickup.
You may set up direct-deposit information in Self-Service for financial aid refunds.
If you have questions or encounter any issues with this process, please contact the Cashier’s Office at jcccashier@johnstoncc.edu or 919-209-2165.
Important Note for Financial Aid Students and Sponsored Students regardless of when you register for classes:
Students who see Financial Aid posted to their Self-Service account do not need to visit the Business Office unless they are sponsored students (WIOA, VA, VR, VOC REH, etc.) and have not already submitted written authorization to the Business Office.
Students who have authorization forms from sponsors such as WIA, VA, VOC REH, ESC, and others must submit these forms to the Business Office by the published payment deadline.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals
SAP APPEALS for Fall 2025 are due by:
If an appeal is denied, the student must pay by August 22nd at 3:00 p.m.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeals for Fall 2025
Denied
If an appeal is denied, the student must pay any outstanding balance to the Business Office by the dates under Financial Aid Disbursements and Refunds.
If the student disagrees with the decision, they may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Student Services.
Approved
If an appeal is approved, the student will be placed on academic probation and must follow an academic plan.
**The SAP Appeal Committee will resume meetings on the last Monday of each month, starting in September 2025.
**Appeals are due the Wednesday before the committee meets at noon.